"the story was strong enough that early estimates of PPV numbers have topped 700,000 buys, by far the largest of Jones' career. The number was big for UFC, because they had not established a new young star who was a major consistent draw since the rise of Brock Lesnar, now retired, and Georges St. Pierre, out for most of the year. While the draw was in good part due to the storyline, the number was big enough to where it, combined with WrestleMania a few weeks ago, seems to contradict a lot of people's views of PPV as a dying industry. The big events, like this and WrestleMania, have done better than most expectations going in."

Which begs the question, is Jon Jones star power starting to catch up to his incredible talent? With PPV numbers like UFC 145's, it's hard to argue. But considering his recent run through the division, a run that has seen him defeat Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans in Succession. You'd like to think Jones would be pulling PPV numbers close to this, regularly from now on. I guess we'll find out when he faces Dan Henderson at UFC 149 in Calgary.

UFC welterweight bad boy Nick Diaz has filed suit against the Nevada State Athletic Commission claiming violations of both statutory law and his Constitutional right to Due Process. The lawsuit seeks to have Diaz's current suspension squashed and to stay any furtherdisciplinary proceedings relating to the marijuana metabolites found in Diaz's UFC 143 positive post fight drug test.

"The summary suspension against me, made without any consideration of
the merits of the Complaint, is the only reason I am aware of that a
rematch against Mr Condit has not been scheduled. If the summary
suspension is set aside, I would be prepared to compete against Mr.
Condit or against any other opponent deemed suitable immediately."

The UFC officially announced that Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II, has been moved back and will now headlining the UFC 148 pay-per-view event on July 7th in Las Vegas, Nv. The hotly anticipated rematch was expected to be the main event of UFC 147 with the event set to take place from a outdoor soccer stadium. But due to unforeseen venue complications the UFC opted to move the fight to the MGM grand in Las Vegas.

UFC 147 will still take place in Brazil on June 23rd with cities such as Belo Horizonte, Brasília and Manaus said to be in the running. But it will now feature the grudge match between TUF: Brazil coaches Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort as well as a featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Erik Koch in the main event.

I absolutely do not believe in, nor do I use performance-enhancing drugs. I am a clean fighter and I will do whatever it takes to prove this to everyone.

Prior to the UFC 146 press conference in March, I aggravated an old rib injury on my left side. My doctor prescribed, and I accepted, an anti-inflammatory medication that was mixed with testosterone. I was completely unaware that testosterone was one of the ingredients in the medication. Although I was unaware, I do realize it is my job to know what I am putting into my body.

I respect the Nevada Commissioners and Executive Director Keith Kizer and what they are doing to keep the sport of mixed martial arts regulated and safe for athletes. I look forward to working with them in the days and weeks ahead.

Maybe the most impressive thing Jon Jones did Saturday night was a tricky fake left hook that he would take and turn into a hard elbow to the jaw. It was incredibly effective and is an excellent example of how Jones is learning to completely utilize his length while fighting at different ranges.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of It's Fighting Stupid's Take Away Service. Where we do you, the service, of letting you in on all the key take-away's from UFC 145: Jones Vs. Evans. First up on the Menu:

Rashad Evans needs to Drop to 185.

Q:What's wrong with this picture? If you answered: "The two people in it, appear to be in different weight classes." Your right! When Rashad Evans and Jon Jones got off the scale on Friday in Atlanta, each man weighed in under the agreed to 205lbs limit. But to look at them, you never would have guessed it. With Jones' 6'4" frame dwarfing the 5'10" Evans with the size discrepancy only becoming more apparent on fight night. Where Jones looked every bit of 225lbs and muscled around the former champion for 5 rounds on rout to a one sided decision. But when posed with a question about changing weight classes Evans was indifferent:

"I’m a 205-pounder.... I’ve only lost twice and I lost to a good competitor … But if an opportunity happens at 185, I'll take it. But I like 205, I'll just have to work my way back up and get back to a title shot."

But if you ask me and most folks round here do. I'd say the road to a shot at Anderson Silva via fights with Munoz, Bisping, or Sonnen is a lot easier then the path back to a re-match with Jones. A rematch Evans would likely lose, and that would require wins over some combination of Machida, Shogun, and Gustafsson to get in the first place. Plus a match up with the 37 year old, pound for pound king Anderson Silva is much more favorable to Rashad Evans and his world class transition game. Making it an opportunity he would be foolish to pass up.